We’re Here for You
To speak with a member of our cancer care team, feel free to call us.
Cancer Support & Survivorship
Helpful services throughout every step of your cancer journey
Helping You Live Well and Feel Your Best – Today and Tomorrow
A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. It may affect you physically, mentally and spiritually — and not just when you’re newly diagnosed. Well into cancer survivorship, the disease can continue to impact your life.
At Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham, you never have to face cancer alone. Our cancer support community is here to provide the assistance you need when you need it. You can count on our compassionate team to guide you forward and ease your path.
Cancer Patient Education
Cancer can be overwhelming in many different ways. Our caring experts will be at your side to help you learn about:
- Coping with cancer.
- Your recommended eating plan.
- Your specific diagnosis.
- Your treatment, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or some combination of these, along with any side effects treatment may cause.
Through our Cancer Resource Center, we offer helpful books, brochures and information about community resources. These are available for you and your family members. Comfortable computer workstations and internet access are in our center, as well.
Support and Resource Referrals
Cancer social workers are available to help you, your family members and significant others when a cancer diagnosis is suspected or confirmed. These caring experts are also known as oncology social workers. At BID Needham, they’re certified for oncology social work (OSW).
Our social workers advocate for you. They offer individual, family and group counseling and provide case management. This may include linking you to helpful services, including behavioral health if you need additional mental or emotional support. Our social workers help plan your treatment alongside your other cancer care team members.
In addition to offering individual appointments with our social workers, we offer programs and cancer support groups that allow you to share common experiences with others. This includes a breast cancer support group for people facing a breast cancer diagnosis.
Nutrition for Patients with Cancer
Cancer and its treatments may affect your appetite, ability to eat and overall strength and wellness.
The dietitian from our nutrition team can guide you in making the best food choices. Whether you’re looking for general advice on a healthy diet for cancer patients or you’re looking for something more specific, like foods that taste good during chemo, we’re here to help from diagnosis through recovery. We’re happy to work with you, your family and your health care providers to improve your nutritional status.
Cancer Physical Therapy
Cancer treatment can sometimes result in physical challenges that may benefit from physical therapy (PT). Here, we have specially trained physical therapists who provide on-site care when you’re undergoing active cancer treatment.
Problems commonly related to cancer include fatigue, stiffness in soft tissues and joints, numbness, balance issues and weakness. Swelling, including lymphedema, a side effect some people experience with breast cancer treatment, sometimes occurs.
Oncology physical therapy may involve massage, stretching, exercise and other specialized techniques to help you get relief from these conditions and assist you with rehabilitation. Our therapists work closely with your doctors and nurses to address your specific concerns.
Additional Support for Cancer Patients and Their Families
We offer a wide range of services and programs to support you and your family.
- Hospice — If you have incurable cancer, when the time is right, we can direct you to hospice. This program helps you have the best quality of life, even if your time is limited.
- Interpreter services and TTY/TDD devices — We try to make communication as easy as possible if you or members of your family do not speak English, are hearing impaired or use American Sign Language.
- Pain management — Experts help you manage discomfort that may be related to your disease or its treatment.
- Pastoral care — During your hospital stay, our pastoral care team can provide spiritual support.
- Primary nurse — We assign a primary nurse to you, so you have help to coordinate your care and always know where to turn if you have questions or concerns.
- Windows of Hope — This specialty shop offers cancer products and resources, such as wigs, prostheses, books and CDs.
Services & Specialties
Our cancer care team works with other specialty providers throughout BID Needham to ensure continuity of care for all your needs.
Looking for Nutrition Advice?
To schedule a cancer nutrition appointment, please call or email us.
